Survival of the Fit Test: The ElliptiGO

Does the world's first elliptical bike give you a good workout? We test it out for you.

09.01.10

The product:
ElliptiGo 8S ($2,199, elliptigo.com)
The claim:
The world's first elliptical bike mimics running outdoors without the impact on your body.

The tester:
Editor Wendy Rodewald

The bottom line:
"It looks like a bike, minus one key feature: the seat. Once I learned how to get on and off without tipping over, I zoomed around Central Park's tree-lined paths -- a refreshing change from my usual gym workout. But riding the seatless two-wheeler, which feels like a cross between cycling and running, was no walk in the park: I worked up a sweat as quickly as I do on a stationary elliptical. The machine's eight speeds helped me navigate hills and straightaways, and the handbrakes let me slow down for traffic -- that is, when I wasn't stopped by everyone wanting to check out my ride. 'Is that an elliptical bike?' they'd ask. 'That's so cool!' After a superfun morning pushing its pedals and, yes, feeling sore the day after, I'd have to agree."